CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The record for Cleveland State basketball -- 8-20 overall, 5-10 in the Horizon League -- screams "ouch." But the reality is, first-year head coach Dennis Felton and the Vikings show signs of growing into a competitive program. With three games remaining in the regular season, including Friday at 7 p.m. against Oakland, CSU has already become upset minded.

The Vikings have won three of their last five games, including an upset victory over then No. 1 Wright State and later over No. 3 Illinois-Chicago.

After the final home game of the season against Oakland, CSU ends the season next week at Wright State then at Youngstown State. Then it's off to Detroit for the Horizon League Tournament, March 2-6.

Based on the current standings with the Vikings ninth in the 10-team league, CSU would start tournament play against No. 8 Wisconsin-Green Bay (10-18, 5-10), a team that has split two games with the Vikings already this season.

Three guards, Kenny Carpenter (12.7 ppg), Tyree Appleby (11.4) and Bobby Word (10.4) have been the offensive catalysts throughout the season.

But joining Carpenter and Word with a senior's sense of urgency of late are forwards Anthony Wright and Jamarcus Hairston.

That's a lot of veteran experience winding down to their last games, but freshmen Appleby and Stefan Kenic offer hope for the future.